NASHVILLE, Tenn.-- A group of United Methodists that filed a complaint against controversial Bishop Joseph Sprague says it is deeply disappointed that the charges of heresy were dismissed one week ago.

According to Agape Press, in late December, the group called for Sprague's removal after he openly rejected Christian doctrines such as the virgin birth, the physical resurrection of Jesus Christ and salvation through Christ alone. (See related story "Team dismisses heresy accusations against Bishop Sprague.")

Last week, a committee of bishops in the United Methodist Church (UMC) dropped the charges against Sprague, one of their colleagues.

Pastor Thomas Lambrecht of Greenville, Wis. -- whose group initially filed the complaint against Sprague --said the supervisory team that dismissed the complaint has adopted the Chicago bishop's heretical viewpoint.

"It is painful for us to hear this decision [being] made," Lambrecht said. "It appears to give official sanction to the personal interpretation of our doctrinal standards in a way that diminishes their unifying and binding force in our church -- and we hate to see that happen."

Lambrecht says his group is not permitted to appeal the decision, but it will continue its efforts to restore faithfulness to the doctrinal integrity of the denomination. He says it is time for Methodist lay people to help re-establish the basic biblical teachings their denomination once held.

"We are still in the process of evaluating the decision and considering our next steps," he says. "We don't have any recommendations at this time -- but we will be mobilizing people to gather support for the foundational doctrines and beliefs of our church."

Lambrecht says even though bishops like Sprague serve a life tenure, Methodists should not leave the denomination over the matter.